FORT BLISS, Texas – American Warriors are competing for the German Armed Forces Sports Proficiency Badge or Deutsche Leistungsabzeichen at Fort Bliss, Texas, Tuesday through Friday.
The German air force personnel stationed at Fort Bliss host and grade the Olympic-style competition. 402nd Field Artillery Brigade serves as facilitators for the events.
“The GAFSPB includes seven different events plus passing a first aid or similar certification,” said Maj. Robert M. Wagner, 402nd FAB executive officer. “The badge can be worn on the U.S. Army Service Uniform and is very prestigious.”
The first event of the week is the 200-meter swim, which is an elimination event. Only the top 75 percent of 95 contestants will continue on for the rest of the competition. The other events include a 12-kilometer ruck march, a three or five-kilometer run,
the high jump or long jump, 100 or 1,000 meter track event, a pistol competition, and shot put or brick throw. The badges include gold, silver and bronze categories.
Three competitors from Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, N.J. assigned to 99th Regional Support Command are among the badge hopefuls. They are Maj. Arthur Nowell of Highland, Ill., Sgt. 1st Class Heather Wright of Philadelphia, Pa., and Pfc. Francis J.
Kuarta of Johnstown, Pa. U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Marie A. St. Clair of Chippenham, Va. took first place in the women’s 200-meter swim with a halftime of 1 hour, 55 minutes and an overall 4:23. St. Clair is a senior at University of Texas, El Paso, and is sponsored by her unit, 356th Transportation Company, 383rd Quartermaster Battalion, 647th
Regional Support Group of Las Cruces, N. M.
The event contestants who complete each event within the required qualifying limits are to be awarded badges at the German Club on Fort Bliss at 3 p.m., Friday.